Sichuan Opera

Highlights:

• Admire the highlights of the show, including Face Changing, Long Sleeve Fluttering, Rolling Light, Fire Spitting

Sichuan opera (Chuan Ju, Sichuanese Opera) is one of China’s oldest and most popular opera forms. Originated at the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, different dramas were brought in to blend with the local dialect, customs, folk music and dances. Today’s Sichuan opera is a relatively recent synthesis of 5 historic melodic styles.

It is said that ancient people painted their faces to drive away wild animals. Sichuan Opera take in this ancient skill and perfects it into an art. Artistes in traditional costumes dance around, flicking their heads up/down or back/forth in an instant, changing the thin painted masks over their face. They do this it so quickly, and so frequently, you will be left amazed at how they could control the masks so skilfully.

Sichuan Opera features vivid, humorous narration, singing, and acrobatics. It also boasts a system of stylized movements and its acting is both exquisite and lively. Sichuan Opera performances are always full of wit, humour, lively dialogues, and pronounced local flavours.

Most Sichuan Opera repertoires are adapted from the Chinese classical novels, mythologies, legends, and folk tales. Statistics show that the total number of Sichuan Opera plays exceeds 2,000.

It’s less of an opera in the classical sense, and more akin to a variety show featuring musical performances, puppetry, comedy, and of course, fire-breathing face changers for the finale.

Shufengyayun Sichuan Opera House, Shufengyayun, located in Chengdu Culture Park on Qintai Road, is the ideal place to experience the local arts. Featuring the Chinese traditional opera performances, unique talent shows, as well as opera costumes, exquisite handicrafts exhibits, the theatre is just an ideal place for you to enjoy the local arts and culture.

What's included

• Return transfers with driver and guide
• Entrance tickets